Elmer List

The following table may be referenced to help you find assistance in an area of the ham radio hobby. The names listed may be willing to spend some time with you, however be considerate in asking for too much time; be willing to work around their schedules.

Technical Help

Subject Area

Name(s)

Antennas

Bill, W9ZJ

Beams/towers

Brian, W9HLQ

Electronic Theory

Brian, W9HLQ

Using computer in ham shack

Brian, W9HLQ

RTTY/Digital

.

Slow scan TV (HF freqs)

.

Fast Scan TV (UHF freqs)

Mike, W9GYC

VHF/UHF DX weak signal operation

Wayne, W9BBB

TVI/RFI

Wayne, W9BBB

.

.

Operating help/tips

Subject Area

Name(s)

Contesting

Don, K9KNZ

QSL (send and receiving)

Bill, W9ZJ

QSL buro

Bill, W9ZJ

Working DX

Bill, W9ZJ

CW procedures

Don, K9KNZ

Origin of the term “Elmer”

The term “Elmer“–meaning someone who provides personal guidance and assistance to would-be hams–first appeared in QST in a March 1971 “How’s DX” column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (now also VA3ZBB).

Newkirk called them “the unsung fathers of Amateur Radio.” While he probably was not trying to coin a term at the time, here’s how Newkirk introduced “Elmer” in his column and, as it turned out, to the rest of the Amateur Radio world:

“Too frequently one hears a sad story in this little nutshell: ‘Oh, I almost got a ticket, too, but Elmer, W9XYZ, moved away and I kind of lost interest.'” Newkirk went on to say, “We need those Elmers. All the Elmers, including the ham who took the most time and trouble to give you a push toward your license, are the birds who keep this great game young and fresh.”